Match-machine



6 Shets-Sheet 1.

(N80 Model.)

MGCLINTOCK YOUNG. MATCH MAGHINE.

Patented May'7, 18.95.

Inventpr.

6 SheetsSheet 2.

(No Model.)

McGLINTOGK YOUNG.

MATCH MACHINE.

INVENTOR} Patented May 7, 1895.

flTNESSES;

n1: NORRIS PETERS co, wuorounm. wnsumm'om n. c

.(No Model.) 7 v 6 SheetsSl 1eet s.

MOCLI'NTOOK YOUNG.

MATGH MACHINE Patented May 7, 1895.

@7 ATT JVEY.

.THE norms PETERS co. PNOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON, n. c

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 4;

MoOLINTOGK YOUNG.. MATCH MAGHINE.

No. 538,888. Patented May 7, 1895.

&8M W

. Al-ZZZ??? ETERS coy, Prwro plwov, WASHINGTON, 0. c.

(No Model.) a Sheets-Sheet 5.

MoGLI-NTOCK YOUNG. MATCH 'MAGHINB.

No. 538,888. 7 Patented May 7, 1895.

, 771, 071/ Line 6 6" I I 1 L I a TIL H 7n 1 r I I J I I a f h A I G WIYNESSfiS- INVENTOR,

(No 1118x181.) g 8' 16-SheetsSheet 6.-

' WM OLI NTOCKYOUNG.

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N01. 58 ,888. i 1 8me(11 Ma 7,1895,

7 //l////l/// 1 I UNITED v STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MCOLINTOOK YOUNG, or FREDERICK, MARYLAND, nssrenon TO THE DIA- MOND MATCH COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MATCH-MACHINE.

, SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 588,888, dated May *7, 1895.

i Application filed Ju1y14,1894=. derialNo. 517,606. (Nomodel) To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MOCLINTOCK YOUNG, of Frederick, county of Frederick, and State '3 tures a feed mechanism by which previously Waxed cords or threads are advanced; a cutting mechanism by which the threads are v severed into suitable lengths; a carrying mechanism by which the severed lengths are [,0 carried through the igniting or coating composition, and, finally, a mechanism by which the completed matches are finally delivered into the receiver.

In the particular embodiment of my ma- .chine shown in the accompanying drawings I employ a reciprocating feed mechanism by which the Waxed threads, led from the drum or elsewhere, are thrust into perforated carrying plates which for convenience are arranged i. c in series in the form of an endless traveling chain; a reciprocating knife by which the inserted lengths are severed at suitable dis tances from their inserted ends; a driving mechanism by which the plates containing :5 the inserted lengths are carried forward in such manner as to pass the exposed ends of thelengths through the coating composition; and finally mechanism by which the now com- E pleted matches, after the drying of the coating composition, are ejected endwise from the carrying plates. The chain of perforated carrying plates is of great length and travels over a series of guide Wheels or drums this mechanism being essentially the same as that used in existing machines, for handling Wooden match splints. -The appliances for coating the heads with the igniting composition are also of ordinary construction. For

F these reasons the following description is confined mainly to the mechanisms for feeding, cutting and delivering the waxed thread.

of Maryland, have invented a new'and useful The machine comprises asits essential fea- Figure l is a perspective view of my complete machine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the front end of the machine, looking from the right. Fig. 3 is a similar view looking from the left. Figs. 4 and 5 are horizontal cross-sections on the correspondingly-numbered lines of Figs2 and 8, looking in a downward direction. Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal section through the front of the machine on the correspondingly-numbered line of Figs.

5 and 7. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the feeding and cutting mechanisms, the main frame and other parts being omitted in order to expose them to view. Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are vertical sections on the same plane as Fig. 6, showing the successive positions of the feeding and cutting devices.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 6, A represents the rigid main frame of the machine and B an endless chain consisting of perforated metal plates, joined edge to edge and arranged to travel in a long circuitous course around a series of supporting drums or pulleys C, C, after the manner that a corresponding bolt is mounted in ordinary match machines. The perforations in the plates are each adapted to receive and carry a single match, and the chain is extended as desired, in order that the matches may be carried therein for a sufficient time to insure the drying of the composition applied to their heads.

In front of the frame A there is a horizontal reel or drum D, on which is wound aseries of long cords or threads E, each heavily coated with wax or a wax compound, these threads being the same as those'now used in the man ufacture of waxed matches. From the drum the threads are led side by side, beneath a 0 stationary curved guide F, and thence upward through vertical perforations in a feed ing head G, the upper edge of which underlies the endless chain, as shown in Fig. 6, the feed mechanism hereinafter described being 5 arranged to bring the successive rows of holes in the plates directly over the holes in the feeding head G, so that as the threads are fed upward, their upper ends will be thrust into the respective holes in the plates.

The feeding head G is arranged to recipro- IOO cate vertically, being carried at its ends by links g jointed to the ends of crank-arms r, on the ends of a transverse rock-shaft g Within the feedinghead G there is mounted a clamping plate H, extending through the same from end to end and free to move horizontally therein, to and from the waxed threads, for the purpose of clamping them fast in the guide. This clamp H is urged backward from the threads by internal springs h, and is pressed forward at the proper times by a horizontally movable pressure head I against which the clamp slides as the feeding head G moves upward and downward. Before the feeding head G descendsthe clamp 11 retreats from the threads, so that the clamp slides downward freely,upon or around them,at'ter which the head I moves forward, forcing the clamp II against the threads and holdingthem fast within the feeding head G, so that when it rises it will carry the entire series of threads upward and thrust their ends into the overlying plate B, as before explained. The clamp operating head I is sustained at its ends by arms 1', on arock-shaft z", mounted in the mainframe and operated as hereinafter explained.

In order to prevent the possibility of the descending feeding head G drawing the threads downward again out of the carrying plates B, I provide below the feeding head G, a friction device J, consisting of a stationary bar 7' having vertical perforations for the passage of the waxed threads, and a series of horizontal friction slides j, arranged to hear one against each of the threads. These slides are urged forward each by an independent spring 7' the series of springs hearing at their outer ends against an eccentrically mounted rockshaft 9' provided with the operating handle j. These slides subject the threads to a moderate friction. Whenit is necessaryto insert the threads through the guide bar 3' or for any other reason to withdraw the friction slide, it is only necessary to give a backward rotation to the rockshaft 7' After the threads are thrust into the carrying plates, it is ncc essary to sever their upper ends, and this is effected bythe horizontal blade K, carried by the upper end of swinging arms 70, and arranged to swing forward after the descent of the feeding head G so as to act against the entire series of threads, which are supported on the rear side by a wooden or other suitable bar, L, fixed in position asvplainly shown in Fig. 9.

The order in which the various parts act will be understood on reference to Figs. 8, 9 and 10. In Fig. 8 a severing knife is shown in its retracted position, the clamp H, released from the threads and the feeding head G in the act of descending. In Fig. 9 the clamp H is shown as confining the threads in the feeding head G, which has been lifted sufficiently to drive the threads into the carryingplate. In this figure the knife is shown in its advanced position and in the act of severing the inserted threads. In Fig. 10 the threads are shown as clamped in the guide and the latter in the act of rising to insert the newly formed ends of the threads into the next series of holes in the carrying plate, which is in the meantime advanced one step.

The carrying plates are provided on their rear faces with teeth or cogs b, engaged by a toothed wheel I), which is turned intermittingly so thatthe plates are advanced step by step in order to bring their successive rows of holes into position to receive the threads, as plainly illustrated in Fig. 6. As the carrying plates of the chain advance, the lower and exposed ends of the waxed threads are presented in due time tothe coating devices. Following their course rearward from the coating devices, they are finally returned at the upper side of the chain to the front of the machine, where the plates descend vertically in front of a fixed guide plate a, forming a part of the main frame. This plate is perforated for the passage of ejecting pins M attached to a reciprocating head m, actuated by rods m, connected to crank arms m on a 1 horizontal rock-shaft m seated in bearings in the main-frame. During the intervals of rest and while the threads are being inserted into one plate at the bottom of the chain, the ejecting pins we advance and drive the completed and dried matches out of one row of holes in another plate, on to a rapidly moving belt N, or other receiver, at the front of the machine. As shown in the drawings, the receiving belt N delivers the match endwise on a transversely moving belt 0, on which they lie in parallel lines, from which they are removed by an attendant at the front of the machine.

It will of course be understood by the skilled mechanic that the details of the operative parts above described may be modified without essentially changing the mode of action or passing beyond the field of my invention, and it will also be understood that motion may be imparted to the various parts by mechanism of any suitable character. I prefer, however, to make use of the driving connections represented in the drawings, which I will now describe.

The rock-shaftg from which the feeding head is sustained, and vertically reciprocated, has at one end a crank-arm g connected by an adjustable rod to a yoke or collar 9 encircling an eccentric on the main-shaft O, which extends through the machine horizontally from side to side, this shaft being provided with a driving wheel P near one end, to receive the driving belt Q. By means of the eccentric the feeding head is moved upward and downward at regular intervals. The pressure head I receives its motion through a crankarin 2' fixed to one end of the rock-shaft i and carrying at the lower end a roller i acted upon by the periphery of a cam i, on the main shaft, this cam being so formed as to hold the head I upward and thereby maintain the clamp H in contact with the threads during the ascent of the feeding head G, after which the pressure. head is retracted and permitted to remain in its retracted position during the ascent of the feed ing head. The knife K has one end of its 1 supporting rock-shaft provided with an arm by a rod m to a lever m carrying on oneend a lateral roller or stud which rides in the cam groove Wt", in a wheel on the main shaft, as

plainly shown in Figs. 3 and 4:, this groove being suitablyformed to drive the ejectors forward at the proper moment and to hold them in a retracted position during the movement of the carrying plates.

The carrying chain B has its carrying wheel I), b, connected by an intermediate gear 12 to equalize the motion. The shaft of the upper wheels b is provided with a beveled pin- .ion 19 (see Fig. 2), which engages a pinion b on the upper end of a shaft b which is mounted in hearings in the main frame and provided at its lower end with a bell-shaped wheel 11 having at its periphery a circular series of dependent pins, one of which is made longer than the others. A wheel R having two peripheral cam surfaces engages these pins as shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 4:. The surface r, having a slight pitch or throw from right to left, acts at each revolution to advance the wheel a distance from one short pin to the next, thus advancing the carrying plates a distance equal to that from one row of holes to'the next row in the same plate. As, however, the row of holes in the edge of one plate is separated from the first row in the next plate, a greater distance, it is necessary to advance the carrying plate an increased distance whenever the intervening joints are carried past the inserting and ejecting devices. It is for this purpose that I make use of the long pin on the feed wheel B. This second surface, engaging the long pin at the proper time, imparts to the feed chain at suitable intervals an extra movement. Thus it is that I am enabled by the variable or unequal feeding device to bring the holes of the carrying plates with certainty, in register with the inserting and ejectiugdevices. As the flanges or surfaces of the feed wheel enter, between the pins, they serve not only to turn the wheel forward, but also to limit its forward motion so that there is no danger of overthrow or of the plates being advanced too far.

In order that the matches may be cut to longer or shorter lengths as demanded, the knife blade is connected to its supporting arms by means of clamp plates and bolts, working in vertical slots in the arms, as plainly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and '7.

While I have described those details of construction and arrangement which I consider best adapted for carrying my invention into effect, it is to be understood that they may be modified in form and arrangement in many ways which will suggest themselves to the skilled mechanic, in the light of this specification.

I believe myself to be the first to combine in a machine, mechanism for automatically feeding the waxed threads, mechanism for inserting the ends of the threads into carriers, mechanism for severing the threads at suitable points and mechanism for thereafter coating and delivering the severed lengths. To such combinations I broadly lay claim,in any form the mechanical equivalent of that herein shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a power driven wax match machine the combination with a main driving shaft and means for rotating the same, of moving carriers, intermediate mechanism for advancing the carriers step by step, a reciprocating feeding device operated from the main driving shaft and provided with a clamp for the threads, means for opening the clamp on the retreat of the feeding device, a knife arranged to sever the threads between the feeding device and the carriers, and suitable operating mechanism between the knife and driving shaft for operating the former when the clamp is in a retracted position.

2. In a power driven wax match machine the combination with a main driving shaft and means for rotating the same, of moving carriers adapted to receive the ends of the threads, operating mechanism for advancing the car riers step by step, a reciprocating feeding device movable to and from the carriers and formed with an opening for the passage of the threads, connections from the driving shaft for reciprocating said feeding device, a

movable clamping plate mounted in the feeding device and arranged tobe moved independently thereof against the threads to clamp the same, a spring also mounted in the feeding device and acting constantly against the clamping plate and tending to disengage the same from the threads, a movable pressure head in position to engage the clamping plate, suitable connections for moving said head to clamp the threads on the advance of the feeding device, and means for severing the threads.

3. In a wax match machine the combination with the carriers to receive the ends of the threads, of the thread feeding device comprising a clamp adapted to engage the threads to advance the same and constructed to release the threads to retreat, and independently acting friction devices for the individual threads; whereby the threads are prevented from being withdrawn from the carriers on the retreat of the feeding device.

4. In a wax match machine the combination with the movable carriers to receive the I acting friction devices for the individual threads, and means for moving said friction devices togetherto simultaneously release all the threads.

5. In a Wax match machine the combination with the carriers to receive the threads, of the feeding device for advancing the same, the series of friction blocks j, engaging the threads, the ecccntrically mounted rock shaft provided with a handle, and intermediate springs hearing at one of their ends against the friction blocks and at their opposite ends against the rock shaft.

6. In a wax match machine the combination with the carriers to receive the ends of the threads, of the thread feeding device provided with a clamp and movable to and from the carriers, a knife for severing the threads, movable independently of the feeding device and transversely of the same, a supporting frame carrying the knife, a fixed bar in rear of the threads against which the knife acts, and adjustable connecting devices between the knife and its supporting frame adapted to admit of the adjustment of the knife to and from the carriers; whereby the length of the severed threads may be varied.

7. In a wax match machine the combination of a frame, a main driving shaft mounted therein, traveling carriersto receive the ends of the threads, gearing for advancing thecarrier step by step, a reciprocating feeding de vice for advancing the threads to the carriers, a rock shaft g connections between the rock shaft and feeding device, aknife for severing the threads, a rock shaft 70 connections between said rock shaft and the knife, cams on the main driving shaft and arms connected at one of their ends to said rock shafts and having their opposite ends arranged to be engaged by the cams. v

8. In a wax match machine the combination with the moving carriers adapted to receive the ends of the threads of the reciproeating thread feeding device, a clamping plate mounted in said feeding device and movable transversely thereof to and from the threads, a pressure head engaging the clamping plate and provided with a bearing face against which the clamping plate slides as the feeding device reciprocates, and means for moving the pressure head transversely of the feeding de vice to cause the clamping plate to engage the threads.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 29th day of June, 1894, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

MCGLINTOCK YOUNG.

Witnesses:

C. A. NEALE, N. R. KENNEDY. 

